Stay SunSmart this summer

As the summer sun returns to Ireland in the coming weeks, it's important to remember to protect your skin from sun damage--whether the sun is shining or not.

Each year over 10,000 people in Ireland are diagnosed with skin cancer caused by UV rays from the sun, which is largely preventable.

Follow the SunSmart Code to reduce your risk of skin cancer

Our SunSmart Code outlines 5 easy things to do to protect yourself and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer:

1. Stick to the shade!
   Where possible, stay in the shade where you can to limit your direct exposure to UV rays from the sun.
    
2. Cover up!
   Make sure to cover up as much exposed skin as possible and wear a hat with a brim that gives shade to the face, neck, head and ears.
    
3. Don't forget the sunglasses!
   Your eyes can be damaged by UV rays as well so wear sunglasses on sunny days. Longterm exposure to UV exposure can lead to cataracts and cancer.
    
4. Use sunscreen
   When in Ireland from May to September wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and SPF 30 or higher for kids and re-apply every 2 hours. Sunscreen has expiry dates listed on them so make sure yours is still good.
    
5. Know your local UV index!
   If your local UV index is 3 or higher then you have to be extra careful in the sun and make sure you're following the SunSmart Code.

Read more about reducing your risk of skin cancer.

Know your skin type

Knowing your skin type will help you to protect your skin from sun damage and skin cancer. Our interactive quiz will help you know your skin type.

Take the quiz

Advice for outdoor workers on reducing their risk of skin cancer

Did you know? 1 in 4 skin cancer deaths are from the construction and farming sector. This year, we are aiming our SunSmart campaign at outdoor workers including farmers and construction workers who need to be extra vigilant protecting their skin from sun damage during the summer months.

To this end, we have teamed up with the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) urging all outdoor workers to protect their skin and reduce their risk of skin cancer.

Farmers are outdoors from sunrise to sunset, and very often have no protection on their skin so are very vulnerable to skin cancer. We want to encourage farmers to reduce their risk of sun damage by organising their day so that they are in the shade between 11am and 3pm and check their skin regularly for changes.

Both the IFA and the CIF have have produced leaflets for their respective members on how to be safe in the sun and how to reduce their risk of skin cancer. The leaflets will be distributed to farming and construction families and at trade events throughout the summer.

Read more about outdoor workers and skin cancer risk.

SunSmart advice for parents

While skin cancer is rare in children, much of the UV damage that leads to it takes place in the early years of life. Getting sunburnt in childhood or adolescence can increase the risk of melanoma--the most serious form of skin cancer--in later life. Tanned skin is damaged skin. The tan a child gets may fade but the damage remains - and can lead to skin cancer later in life.

Skin cancer can take 10-15 years to develop and is the most common cancer in young people in Ireland aged 15 and 44 years of age.

In a recent study carried out in Ireland, the largest increase in cases of skin cancer was found in young affluent city dwellers. It is likely that they are getting skin cancer from being exposed to repeated sunburn, probably when out and about at leisure activities.

By protecting children and young people’s skin when they are outdoors you can reduce their risk of developing skin cancer in years to come. But, using sunscreen alone is not enough.

• Keep babies under 6 months in the shade as much as possible.
• Keep older children safe by following the SunSmart Code.
• Take care whether you are in Ireland or abroad - UV damage from Irish weather is just as harmful as that from warmer climates.
• Take care on cloudy days too – up to 90% of UV rays can pass through light cloud.

Children who are at greater risk of skin damage

All children are at risk of UV damage, even those who tan easily and need to be protected with the SunSmart code. However, some children are more at risk, especially if they have:

• Pale or freckled skin that does not tan or burns before it tans.
• Red or fair hair.
• Blue, green or grey eyes.
• A large number of moles.

Babies and the sun

Keep babies under six months in the shade as much as possible:

• Make use of shade that is around you and use extra shade for prams, strollers as needed.
• Make sure the shade casts a dark shadow.
• Make sure babies are covered up: Dress babies in loose-fitting outfits with long sleeves and long shorts.
• Make sure they are made from close-woven material that does not allow sunlight through.

Kids and sunscreen

If infants are kept in the shade and covered with clothes you will only need to use a small amount of sunscreen on the areas not covered with clothes. This can be reapplied every two hours.

Choose a sunscreen that is made for children and babies. Make sure to patch test it on their skin first. If their skin reacts to the product stop using it straight away, and try a different brand.

Babies and vitamin D

The HSE recommends that all infants from birth to 12 months, whether breastfed or formula fed, be given a daily supplement of vitamin D. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about this if you are unsure what to do.

For more tips on protecting your little ones from sun damage, visit our SunSmart section.